Festival Outsider: South by Southwest, Austin
Your guide to the live music capital of the world during their famed festival.
Photo below by Tye Truitt
Every March, tens of thousands of people flock to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest. In its 30th year, the 2016 lineup includes Loretta Lynn, a new Pee Wee movie, and keynote speeches from not one, but two(!) Obamas. And while there’s no way to know where the President and First Lady will be hanging out while they’re in town, we have a few suggestions for things you shouldn’t miss during your visit.
The Main Event
Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty
The Interactive and Film Festivals kick off March 11th and run through the 15th (Interactive) and the 19th (Film), while the Music Festival starts March 15th and wraps the 20th. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, fret not! Unlike many of the other festivals that will captivate crowds throughout the year, SXSW offers walk-up badges for last-minute decision makers. Better still, through its website, the festival will also help you find an available hotel room in town. Its housing department offers group rates at over 60 hotels in the area. Prices range, and this late in the game, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars a night. Slightly cheaper options can be found a little further away from town, and on sites like Airbnb.
Since festival badges can cost anywhere from a few hundred bucks to $1745, you might be interested in knowing that there are hundreds of free events and parties (both official and unofficial) that don’t require them. In addition, there are star-studded spectacles hosted by the likes of Willie Nelson and Illroots. And while those parties aren’t free and require purchasing tickets separate from the fest, they’re basically guaranteed to be worth every penny you spend to attend.
Eat It
Whether it’s breakfast tacos or barbecue, or breakfast tacos filled with barbecue, be prepared to eat. A lot. Sure, Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, but musicians—and their fans—have to eat, and this town won’t let you down.
Tacos
They’re everywhere. And you’ll probably eat them on a daily basis. Torchy’s Tacos is popular for inventive eats like the ahi-tuna-filled Mr. Pink, but Papalote doesn’t disappoint either. Try the tacos with scrambled eggs inside for breakfast.
Texas Barbecue
The two words roll off your tongue like the sauce that’ll drip from your chin. Where to find it depends on your situation. Franklin is famous and requires you get in line around sunrise even though they don’t open until 11 a.m. If you’ve got time to wait, this is the perfect opportunity to make new friends and get to know them better while you’re all waiting to stuff your faces with award-winning brisket. Who knows, one of them could be your favorite band’s manager and have VIP passes to their gig. Another infamous spot, Salt Lick requires either a car to visit the legendary pit, or a little extra time at the airport on your way home.
Dessert
Something a little easier to explain is Amy’s Ice Creams. The homemade treat has been delighting both locals and tourists for decades. Helpful hint: the Mexican Vanilla is world famous.
Everything Else
More barbecue or any other food can be found at Whole Foods, an attraction on its own. The giant (80,000 square feet) flagship store features bars, in-store restaurants, and anything else you could ever imagine needing. You might think it’s weird for a grocery store to make an appearance on so many to-do lists, but when you see it, you’ll get it.